Daily News Archive
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March 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on March 11, 2011
The International Sleep Products Association wants several states to enact new and tougher laws that address the spread of bed bugs in used and renovated mattresses.
Florida is one state that has been hit hard with bed bug infestation and a growing mattress renovation problem. As the Florida Legislature convenes this week, it will consider ISPA-supported legislation that offers new tools to combat the spread of bed bugs. The legislation would require renovators of used mattresses to sanitize their products prior to resale. Currently, no such requirement exists in the state.
ISPA and the mattress industry have long supported efforts to combat bed bugs and educate consumers on how they can avoid a bed bug contamination. As bed bugs have remerged as a pest control issue in recent years, the risk that consumers buying used and renovated mattresses will inadvertently bring these creatures into their homes has also increased. ISPA said that often used mattresses are not disposed of properly and are instead sold to unscrupulous mattress renovators who sew a new cover on the old, and frequently filthy used mattress without sanitizing the mattress or disclosing that it is made from used materials.
"Though bed bugs are the most visibly recognizable threat from used mattresses, these beds may contain other hidden risks," said ISPA Vice President of Government Relations and Policy Christopher Hudgins. "In addition to the public health risks of sleeping on a used mattress, too often these mattresses don't meet federal flammability requirements meaning that renovated mattresses needlessly expose families to fire risks."
March 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on March 11, 2011
Retail buying group Cantrex has named Guy Hodgins regional network and program manager for British Columbia in its furniture, appliance and bedding division.
Hodgins joined Cantrex March 1 and is located in the group's Vancouver office.
Hodgins has an extensive background as a senior manager at many levels of the retail industry.
Prior to joining Cantrex, he was vice president of sales and marketing for Buhler Furniture, and leader of an extensive marketing team and programs at Arctic Cooperatives.
Throughout his retail and manufacturing career, he has supported and implemented a wide variety of programs, including point-of-sale, Internet and inventory control systems.
Guy is a great addition to our outstanding team in Vancouver," said Patrick Kelly, Cantrex network and retail program director. Hell be responsible for building strong relationships with existing and new dealers in the west, and will play a big role in marketing and merchandising. Hell also be responsible for building relationships with our supplier base and fostering merchandise programs that support the growth and profitability of our dealers.
Hodgins appointment coincides with the retirement of John Kennedy, merchandising manager for the Western Provinces, from full-time work April 29. Kennedy will stay on at Cantrex on a part-time basis to handle special projects and initiatives that further strengthen Cantrexs commitment to Western Canada.
March 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on March 11, 2011
Furniture components supplier Hickory Springs has announced five finalists in its social media competition, EarthCare Challenge II.
The finalists from school groups around the country now advance on a March-long initiative to implement their earth-friendly ideas for a chance to win the grand prize of cash and furnishings, which feature Hickory Springs' eco-friendly components line, EarthCare Inside.
Hickory Springs, Hickory, N.C. announced the finalists on the EarthCare Challenge Facebook page. Taking place entirely on Facebook, the contest chronicles the teams' everyday challenges and accomplishments as they progress with their environmental projects.
"Through the EarthCare Challenge, entire communities are stepping forward to share their experiences and show what being earth-friendly means to them," said Hickory Springs Executive Vice President Dwayne Welch. "This years contestants are a diverse mix of green youth groups of all ages, who together with their advisors are really taking the contest to new heights. I am excited to see how their journeys unfold in the weeks to come."
Through posts, photos and videos, the teams are asked to demonstrate their progress online while building their own following and ultimately, impressing the contest judges, Hickory Springs and its Green Expert Panel. The public can vote for their favorite team on Facebook by commenting or "liking" any of their favorite contestant's posts or photos.
The finalists are:
* Sara Bauer, the Kindergarten Enrichment Program teacher at Sara's Preschool in Ridgewood, N.J., is introducing her students to environmental awareness by conducting month-long projects demonstrating their March Green Up theme.
* Vashon School District and Chef Tom French in Vashon, Wa., have joined forces to bring the Experience Food Project to their schools. Students will document the progress of the new lunch program highlighting whole foods from regional and sustainable purveyors while measuring the district's "foodprint" and carbon reduction efforts.
* Ruth Dimant and Emek Hebrew Academy in Sherman Oaks, Calif., decided to expand a community-wide project with a Jewish non-profit organization that distributes food to families in need, by introducing a recycling component to their efforts.
* Kathryn Meneghin and her Environmental Club at Fair Lawn High School in Fair Lawn, N.J., have started a program to distribute aluminum bottles to the entire student body in an effort to create a completely plastic-bottle-free campus.
* Sara Lashbrook and her second grade class at Jackson Elementary in Jackson, Wy., are pursuing the adventures of composting. They are collecting compostable waste from sources throughout the school and studying how the process can benefit the earth and a healthy lifestyle.
The contestants are guided by a Green Expert Panel consisting of three noted environmental leaders: Marc Sloot, a green building specialist with SALA Architects, Inc. and Chairman of the Minnesota GreenStar Residential Green Building Programs technical committee; Brian G. Allen, social venture entrepreneur and Vice-Chair of the American Solar Energy Society's Sustainability Division; and Amy Todisco, a green lifestyle writer, consultant and coach, and owner of GreenLivingNow.com, a green products e-commerce site.
In April, Hickory Springs will award the grand prize to the contestant who has made the most dramatic progress with their community project. The winner will take home $1,000 to be used to further their project plus a collection of EarthCare Inside furnishings valued at $2,000 delivered to their community space of choice.
March 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on March 11, 2011
Boyd Specialty Sleep has created a collection of three memory foam bedsPlanet Sleepaimed to give retailers an exclusive combination of benefits.
The Planet Sleep beds are eco-friendly in design and manufacture, said Dennis Boyd, Boyd president.
"We believe this specialty line delivers the complete package to retailers who want luxury memory foam products that are demonstrably different," he said. "These beds incorporate from four to seven inches of our exclusive open-cell memory foam layers, feature densities of up to seven pounds and total mattress profiles of up to 13 inches."
The top-of-the-line Planet Sleep model is expected to retail from $1,299 to $1,999 and uses three layers of memory foam on top of a high-density foam support base. The middle model has five inches of memory foam, including the company's channel-vented Stay-Cool layer.
To promote the Planet Sleep line, the company has created a point-of-sail program that includes matching headboards and foot protectorsboth with information insertsplus coordinated pillows in a textured suede look. The program includes a mini-mattress display to help retail sales associates explain the features and benefits of Planet Sleep mattresses.
The ultra premium feel and performance of this line, combined with the quality in-store presentation materials we have to support it, clearly deliver the brand message we want for Planet Sleep, Boyd said.
March 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 11, 2011
Salon at Market Square will welcome 15 new exhibitors for High Point Furniture Market, April 2-7.
Those join 28 returning companies, all innovative furniture, lighting, rugs, wall art, softgoods and decorative accessories vendors, in the Salon venue on the ground floor of the Suites at Market Square.
"There really is no other place at High Point Market that focuses on bringing new companies to this market in one consolidated area," said Brian Bunch, vice president and assistant general manager for Market Square & Suites. "Buyers know they will find new, high-end, design-oriented products and companies every time they visit Salon, so its a must-see for anyone looking for the hottest products at market."
A sneak peek at some of the product to be featured in Salon this market and a complete list of exhibitors can be found here.
Salon also is home to the Market Square Cafe, the only place in downtown High Point offering a full Starbucks hot drink menu, as well as a variety of breakfast items and lunch menu of sushi and other Asian delicacies.